There are still months to go before the Chicago Bears roster begins to take its true shape. One of the most difficult jobs for new head coach Matt Nagy will be trimming the fat down from 90 players to the league-mandated 53 for the regular season. By now most people likely have their assumptions about who will or won’t make the final cut.
However, it’s important to remember that this isn’t John Fox anymore. Players people would assume are safe might not be in the eyes of Nagy. One mustn’t forget even Jordan Howard was under heavy trade speculation for a considerable stretch. So it’s unwise to feel names that were untouchable under Fox would be so under his replacement.
The question is would any player fit that description. There aren’t many standouts in that regard. Most of the bigger names are quite secure in their current positions. Big free agent and draft names were added less to replace them and more to plug holes elsewhere. However, there may be one notable name that may not be as safe as he or others might think.
This is going to be fun to watch all season long. Jaye Howard and the new and improved Jonathan Bullard. Great energy. #Bears pic.twitter.com/0L6PWr7wpC
— Jake Perper (@BearsBacker) August 22, 2017
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Jonathan Bullard should not relax with his Chicago Bears roster status
The Bears have had some rough luck with third round picks over the past 14 years. After peaking in 2003 and 2004 with the likes of Lance Briggs and Bernard Berrian, they’ve gone through a string of average-to-bad selections in that range. Includes are notorious misses like Juaquin Iglesias and Brandon Hardin. It was hoped that Jonathan Bullard might be a step in the right direction.
All things considered, he hasn’t been a bad pick but he hasn’t reached his full potential as many hoped. In two seasons he has just two sacks and 44 total tackles. Granted, he hasn’t gotten a ton of sustained playing time during that span but he hasn’t made many impact plays. This might explain why former undrafted free agent Roy Robertson-Harris is favored to win the starting job.
Something to remember here is that the Bears carried four defensive ends on the roster. Akiem Hick is, of course, a lock. Robertson-Harris looks the same and now fifth round draft pick Bilal Nichols can be considered safe as well. That’s three slots filled already. This means Bullard will have to battle seven other players in order to maintain his spot.
Sure he should be considered the favorite, but far crazier things have happened. He’s not protected by his draft status anymore. If he wants to stay in navy blue, he’ll have to earn it in the eyes of the new coaching staff.
